UP spikers catch last ticket to Final 4 bus

University of the Philippines (UP) grabbed the last berth in the Final Four of the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament after trouncing La Salle, 25-18, 25-15, 25-18, in a playoff match Wednesday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Luis Severino Aguilan scattered 10 hits, an ace and a block as he spearheaded the Maroons to Saturday’s semis against three-peat-seeking University of Santo Tomas, the No. 1 seed that enjoys twice-to-beat advantage in the next round. Michael Jordan Arda, Jan Paolo Martinez and Gerald Magtoto contributed 10, nine and eight points, respectively, for the Maroons, who were forced into a knockout match after finishing the two-round eliminations with 7-7, the same as the Green Archers’ card. On the other end, nobody from the La Salle side scored in double figures after the Maroons bombarded the La Salle spikers 37 hits, nine aces and nine blocks in the game which lasted for an hour and two minutes. The other Final Four match will feature No.2 Far Eastern University against third seed Ateneo de Manila with the Tamaraws carrying the same semis incentive as UST. – GMANews.TV